But Seriously, Folks…
Click on images to view full size art. Warning: some of these are in excess of 150K and will take time to load
Frequently comic books attempt to be relevant. Some, like the Green Lantern, Green Arrow drug abuse stories are highly successful. Others like Lois Lane’s version of Black Like Me or "Lois Lane, Native American" come across as quite cheesy. In the early ‘90’s, a superhero comic titled Nomad tried to take a serious look at several controversial issues, including transvestitism.
Since comics are generally perceived as escapist entertainment, "relevant" comics don’t usually sell well, and that included Nomad. But in its 25 or 26 issue run, Nomad dealt with AIDS, Native American rights, and animal rights among other issues. The premise of the comic was that Nomad, who had formerly been Captain America’s partner, had given up on the superhero business (trading in the costume for sunglasses and an "N" on his belt), and traveled the country with a baby girl, Bucky, a not entirely original gimmick. In his travels he ran into people with problems and helped them to solve them. In issue #11 (March, 1993) Nomad walked into Lillian’s, a bar in Albuquerque, looking for a drink and found himself in middle of the Flatsies – Fun Loving Albuquerque Transvestites.
Walk Right In, Sit Right Down
Since a superhero attending a TG support group might be interesting, but not very exciting, this group has a problem. The group meets once a month, and after the previous two meetings, a rookie has been shot and killed on the way home. Among the assorted characters in attendance is Colt Varney, a former Special Forces member, discharged for homosexuality, who is considered to be the prime suspect in the murders, and a beautiful GG who is the wife of one of the TV’s.
I must admit I wasn’t thrilled with the art in this comic, and a couple of letters to the editor made the same comment. Apparently the artist felt that in order for the reader to be able to distinguish between GG’s and TG’s, almost all of the TG’s are unshaven, either with facial hair, chest hair, or even (shudder) armpit hair, and a couple have masculine or balding haircuts. Only a couple are drawn realistically feminine, including one apparently TS blonde who Nomad interviews later. Everyone does seem to be partying and having a very fun time, though.
Nomad hangs around until practically everyone’s left except this month’s only rookie and Varney. (Some support group. Hmm, rookies are getting killed so let’s leave this one to go home alone, with the prime suspect still around. Maybe no one wanted to be in the line of fire, but it does seem to be a bad strategy for a group that would want to attract new members!) Nomad follows them out and around the corner, hears a shot, and arrives to see the rookie shot dead in the alley, with Varney standing over him with a gun. (At this point is there anyone who still thinks Varney might be the killer?) But Varney hasn’t fired his gun. The police let them both go, and Herb, the husband of the GG in the bar, gives Nomad his card and invites him to his office the next day.
Now for the Really Seamy Side – Real Life
In Herb’s office at the Albuquerque Savings and Loan, he asks Nomad to get rid of the murderer and gives him a list of the members "under the strictest of confidence", with the task to find the killer before the next month’s meeting. Nomad goes and interviews several members – a couple of doctors, the aforementioned blonde, an auto mechanic, etc. His thoughts? "I start to realize that they’re just people – like all of us – they come from all walks of life – all economic and racial backgrounds – some have their lives together, some are falling apart." After three weeks, Nomad realizes that all of the Flatsies have three things in common: 1. "They are men who like – some say even need – to dress up in women’s clothing at least once a month" 2. They all fear being outted over the hunt for the killer. And 3. They all believe that the killer is Colt Varney.
Now Nomad’s problem is how to discover the truth about Colt Varney when time is running out? Before you guess, remember this is a superhero comic. Nomad chooses the obvious alternative. He goes to Varney’s apartment to beat the truth out of him. He bursts in the door to find the masculine looking Varney (Nomad describes him as being "built like a Buick wearing heels") wearing a green teddy/garter combination, with a wimpy unshaven fellow in magenta lingerie. The one in magenta protests and Nomad response? "I’m getting lectured by something out of Victor/Victoria’s secrets." They fight, and it is revealed that the first rookie killed was Varney’s former lover, and that he is trying to catch the killer and make him pay.
Hmm, the next meeting is in two days, and Nomad has to draw the killer out. What possible strategy will he use? Yes, you guessed! It’s the "walk a mile in my heels" approach.
The Belle of the Ball ( resisting crude pun)
We get the watch-him-get-dressed montage, as he puts on lipstick, slips on heels, while Bucky says "Fekt – ka-ka and Nomad replies, "Ka-ka is right, kiddo", and puts his long hair up. His thoughts? "I’ll … become what all women become when they go out clubbing – prey for the night." He shows up and immediately becomes the focal point of the evening, unrecognized by all, including Herb who hired him. "Attention is showered on me from everyone around. It’s their way of propagating interest in the society. If a rookie is well-treated, not only will they come back again, they might also bring friends. Like any club, membership growth is all-important." (I still think making sure the rookies survive the first night would be key.) "So I work Lillian’s like I’m loving it. But my pantyhose keeps riding up on me and these heels are KILLING me!" (emphasis his.) Herb tries hitting on Nomad, who reflects, "Amazing what a shave and a little make-up can do for a boy," but Herb’s wife comments, "You shouldn’t have come, Big mistake!" When Herb won’t back off, Nomad dumps a beer on his head and says, "…when a boy says no – he means no!"
Finally it’s time to bait the trap. Nomad leaves the bar, and we learn that he’s using Colt Varney as his partner – Varney being on a nearby roof with a rifle. Suddenly Varney shoots, winging the shooter on the opposite roof. Nomad, racing to the building, kicks off the heels, "This is going to put a run in my stockings for sure," and catches the shooter – Herb’s wife. (Surprise! Um, anyone?) He asks her why, but before she can respond, she pulls a handgun, and Varney kills her. So Nomad’s guess why she did it? "I’d say it’s because she realized no one should have to be forced to dress like this – just because society expects them to." And what is Nomad’s keen insight at the end of this adventure? "The worst part about it all – beyond the waste, the confusion, the murders – is the fact that I found the silk underwear kind of comfortable…" Didn’t Jimmy Olsen say the same thing?
Because this was intended to be a sympathetic portrayal of TG’s, I feel obligated to editorialize a little more than usual. As I’m sure you gathered, I wasn’t thrilled with the story. The plot was hackneyed, with the TG’s portrayed as societal victims, who once a month get together at a meat market bar, with no real sense of support or friendship. Of the two crossdressers that get more than one panel, Varney is a macho homosexual, and Herb is a lech who hits on other crossdressers in front of his wife. Any other insights into the TG lifestyle seemed to me to be really shallow. And could anyone explain to me Nomad’s guess as to her motivation for killing? (Settle down, Britt. Deep breaths, deep breaths).
Sorry, but as a writer, comic book fan, and TG, I really didn’t find a whole lot to like about this comic. But then again, it wasn’t a complete waste. Even though it gave crossdressing the controversial-issue-of-the-month status, that’s not any different than the recent treatment of TG’s on Chicago Hope, or Ally McBeal, and a notch better than Ask Harriet. I believe that the creators’ intent was to show the mainstream readers that TG’s are people too, and even though their result was more like an episode of Jerry Springer, at least they tried. And maybe they reached some people, too. Three issues later, they ran the following letter:
I just had to write to congratulate [the writer] on a job well done. Talk about controversial subjects – the mere mention of transvestites is usually enough to put an inane smile on one’s face. Yet the storyline provided us with a thoughtful and unbiased insight into the lives of a group of individuals with an alternative lifestyle. The humor was neither disrespectful, nor at the expense of these individuals, but instead was aimed at Nomad’s first-time experiences in an unfamiliar environment.
Even though I can’t approve of, or begin to understand the needs of those individuals, this issue not only entertained as a good comic book should, but it showed these people for what they really are – human beings.
Okay, so maybe I’m a little too picky. Anything that encourages acceptance like that can’t be all bad.
Comments, questions, criticisms, or comic book suggestions, send to me at BrittTV@aol.com. All rights reserved by respective publishers. Send all comments or suggestions to BrittTV@aol.com.
All rights reserved by the original publishers.
|